Advances and perspectives of on-orbit geometric calibration for high-resolution optical satellites

On-orbit geometric calibration is a critical and essential step to guarantee the high geometric positioning accuracy of high-resolution optical satellite imagery. In this paper, we first review and summarize the on-orbit geometric calibration methods for high-resolution optical satellite and then analyze their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we present our perspective on on-board geometric calibration which can be implemented automatically in real time. With the overview of geometric calibration developed in the past decades, the two conclusions could be driven up: (1) the current on-orbit geometric calibration technology based on ground control points (GCPs) has been mature, which can largely improve the geometric positioning accuracy of satellite imagery; (2) new innovation method of on-board geometric calibration for real-time improvement of satellite imagery positioning accuracy is needed. In the end, this paper presents our technique frame of on-board geometric calibration system.